According to “breakthrough” new research, funded by a clutch of consumer goods firms, French scientists have discovered a plastic-eating enzyme they claim could offer an innovative recycling solution for millions of tonnes of toxic plastic waste material.
The study, which was published in the scientific journal Nature claims the lab-engineered enzyme molecules can biologically break down PET plastic waste into its original components which can then be rebuilt afresh into new products, in a process that can be repeated infinitely.
The solution holds particular promise for coloured, opaque and multilayered PET plastic products, which it claims are difficult to recycle via traditional methods as they degrade rapidly, meaning they often end up incinerated or landfilled after only a few cycles.
Meanwhile, the newly-developed enzyme solution can break down 90 per cent of PET waste in just 10 hours, and a demonstration plant for the technology is scheduled to be running in Lyon by as soon as next year, according to the researchers.
The study was carried out by scientists from French bioengineering firm Carbios and the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute with the backing of a consortium of consumer goods firms, including Suntory Beverage and Food Europe, which owns soft drinks brands Ribena and Lucozade, and Nestle Waters.
Professor Saleh Jabarin, a member of Carbios’ scientific committee who also works at the University of Toledo, dubbed the discovery “a real breakthrough in the recycling and manufacturing of PET”.
“Thanks to the innovative technology developed by Carbios, the PET industry will become truly circular, which is the goal for all players in this industry, especially brand-owners, PET producers and our civilisation as a whole,” he added.
PET is the most commonly used plastic material in bottles and is also found in polyester clothing fibres, food containers, and other types of packaging.
More than 70 million tonnes of the material are produced annually worldwide, roughly a fifth of all new plastic in any given year.
Multinational beverage giants have also been facing increasing scrutiny to slash their plastic waste, with a report only last week estimating that just four global drinks brands, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Unilever and Nestlé, were responsible for more than half a million tonnes of plastic pollution in six developing countries each year.
Roberto Vanin, Suntory’s chief research and development officer, said the enzyme discovery could move the drinks giant closer to its goal of using only sustainable plastic bottles by 2030.
“Innovative ideas such as enzymatic recycling can help reinvent the lifecycle of plastic waste, turning post-consumer plastic waste back into a resource,” he said.
“We’re excited to be at the forefront of worldwide efforts to enhance the recyclability of PET and bring a fully circular economy for plastic closer to reality.”
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